‘Ridiculous’ clean air zones are as bad as Covid lockdowns – my Land Rover is essential to my freedom

A RAGING motorist has claimed clean air zones are as bad as Covid lockdowns and the restrictions threaten her freedom.

Justyna Kowalska, 39, is facing charges of up to £100 per day to use her 4x4 in Bristol's "absolutely ridiculous" Clean Air Zone (CAZ).

She claimed the move - designed to curb traffic pollution and expected to be in force by September - is like "another lockdown".

The CAZ - triggered by Bristol City Council - will see drivers of older, more polluting vehicles - an estimated 75,000 a day - charged to enter an area of the city centre.

Estimates suggest that about three in 10 vehicles will attract the charges: £9 for smaller vehicles and a whopping £100 a day for bigger motors.

Electric vehicles will not be charged and the council have put forward funding to assist people in buying an electric motor.

But furious Justyna - who will be sanctioned heavily for driving her diesel 2005 Land Rover Freelander - told the rules feel like she is being put in "another lockdown".

We have got used to being free and it feels like, in a way, they are putting us in another lockdown

Justyna Kowalska

She said: "For me, a car means freedom - I can go wherever I want. We have got used to being free and it feels like, in a way, they are putting us in another lockdown.

"In the past, cars were a luxury good but they are not anymore - they are essential. Prices for electric vehicles are absolutely horrendous.

"I own an non-compliant vehicle and I can not afford a compliant one. I am thinking of getting a classic car because it would be exempt."

Justyna - who is not against the principles of a CAZ - also questions where the money will be going and whether it really will lower pollution.

She suggested: "If we are going to punish people, if we are going to fine them, we won't be getting better air quality and people are just going to get angry.

"They will just make people poorer at a time of increasing taxes and rising energy prices. It is absolutely ridiculous what is going on."

Justyna - who lived in Bristol up to 2019 and now lives in Bridgwater, Somerset - argued people will not be able to afford new electric vehicles and better and cheaper public transport must be provided instead.

Flick the switch

The council have now put forward £1.8million of loans and grants to assist people who need to change their vehicle to electric - but drivers will still need to pay the council back for the loans.

With support from the Government, Bristol Council will also make £5.9million available to help people switch to public transport.

This will also help people make more journeys by walking or cycling with free electric bike loans, cycle training and free bus tickets.

The council has previously said the city is under a legal duty to introduce a CAZ to reduce toxic pollution caused by traffic in the shortest possible time.

The Sun Online have approached Bristol City Council for comment.